I have found that there aren't many things in this life that escape the actual experience of a thing. This past weekend, I got to experience a personal record catch of my younger son - Eleazar. He had been living in New York for the past 3 and a half years up until a few weeks ago. I told him, once we get settled in, I'll take you to get some good sized fish.
He had shown me pictures of these little pencil walleyes he was catching up north and I seriously laughed at him. I was glad he was trying to stay in practice, but sheesh. Don't brag about a minnow. His biggest fish prior to Sunday, was a just over 5 pound Large Mouth Bass I was also witness to.
This fish, is what is known as a freshwater drum. Locally, they are referred to as croakers or silver bass. This just over 20 lb beauty threw him for a loop! He was all struggling and I cracked up seeing him with his rod bent all the way over and drag just whining. I said, "do me proud son!" and pulled out my video camera in hopes to catch the landing of it.
But, I just stood there for awhile. One of those epiphony moments where you just have to smell the roses in awe of what you are seeing, hearing, smelling and breathing. (Oh the aroma of a low river is a mighty pleasant one.) So, I did get the tail end of the catch in the video here. But just being there, seeing his excitement - THAT was worth every minute of that day.
- Witty (Proud Dad)
